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Implementing A Discernment Phase For Those Nominated In The Shepherd Selection Process At The Cinco Ranch Church Of Christ, Aaron Walling

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This doctor of ministry thesis presents the results of a project that implemented a discernment phase for those nominated in the shepherd selection process at the Cinco Ranch Church of Christ. Occurring in the fall of 2010, this project involved nominees in a series of six one-hour, thirty-minute sessions designed to establish the theological foundations for shepherding and to explore its practical expression at Cinco Ranch. For the theological component, this project primarily utilized Ephesians 4:11-16, and for the practical side, it incorporated group interactions with those serving as shepherds along with the review of guiding leadership documents. The project‟s …

Episcopal Applicants To Ordained Ministry: Are They Psychological Healthy?, Thomas G. Plante, Christopher Apodaca

Psychology

The current investigation evaluated psychological and personality profiles of applicants to the diaconate and priesthood for several Episcopal dioceses. Applicants included both genders and their ages ranged from 29 to 67 years. A psychological testing battery including the MMPI-2, 16PF, and MCMI-III was administered to 42 applicants between 2008 and 2009 who subsequently entered the diaconate or priestly formation program in the Episcopal Church. Results indicate that these applicants were generally well-adjusted. Findings also suggest some tendency for defensiveness, repression, naïveté, and a strong need for affection, as well as for being emotionally stable, intelligent, trusting, and open to change. …

Concordia Seminary Magazine | Winter 2012, Paul Devantier

Concordia Seminary Magazine

Broadening the paths to ministry

Spiritual Direction With Women Who Have Autoimmune Diseases: A Model Of Psychospiritual Care, Kelly Renee Arora

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) are incurable autoimmune diseases affecting a growing number of people in the U.S. Women typically receive medical care for the physical effects of these diseases, but psychospiritual dimensions of illness experiences are often neglected. Common autoimmune illness experiences include delayed diagnosis; chronic pain, fatigue, depression; and liminality (being neither healthy nor sick). Women with RA, MS, and lupus also experience ongoing losses (which may be disenfranchised), such as losses of identity, relationships, self-agency, and spiritual beliefs and practices. As a result of ongoing experiences of suffering and loss, women …

Locating Practical Theology In Catholic Theological Discourse And Practice, Kathleen A. Cahalan

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Under One Umbrella: Multiple Communities, One Church, Timothy Jacob Gillespie

Doctor of Ministry

It is my claim that the need for alternative communities within established church structures is not only growing, but is also paramount to the continuation of the gospel of Jesus Christ into the post-Christian, post-Modern world. These alternative communities often take the form of "emerging" worship services, Young Adult services, and "churchwithin- a-church" expressions of worship and community. They are seen in large, medium, and small church settings; as such, we see many of the same problems to varying degrees. The search for relevance has led us to these communities, and this author sees them as valid expressions of faith …

As Good As It Gets: A Review And Consideration Of "Healing Prayer", Its Theological And Ministry Implications, And The Hope For Change It Evokes., Henry Kranenburg

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

If healing is possible, and Christian prayer is a means to achieve it, how do Christians 'make it happen'? The answer to this question has had renewed and increasing interest for Christians in Reformed circles (Chapter I). While different healing 'ministries' have claimed to unlock (some aspect) of healing, there has been limited assessment of these ministries in both their methodologies and their claims. This paper reviews four of these ministries, first looking at aspects of their teaching and methodology (Chapter 2). It then reflects on these from a behavioural-psychological perspective by asking a number of questions (Chapter 3) before …

A Strategy To Evangelize The Members Of Siu San Wan Social Center For The Elderly In Hong Kong, Linda Muoi Tsui

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The number of senior citizens in Hong Kong is increasing. By 2036, approximately one-fourth of the population of Hong Kong will fall into the elderly category, representing a challenge to the government as well as to the church. However, there is a scarcity of research done on elderly evangelism and an accompanying dearth of literature on the topic, therefore there is a need for a research study on how to evangelize the elderly, to make a significant contribution to an increasingly important ministry of the church.

Method

A “Four-stage Elderly Evangelism Model” was developed and implemented to reach the …

Dissertations And Theses Notices, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Loving Conversations: A Seminar To Assist Hispanic Families In Advance Planning For Their End-Of-Life Care At El Divino Salvador Presbyterian Church And Monrovia Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Edgar Enrique Urbina

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Advanced technology is currently available to prolong life, but often there is a lack of preparation or documentation of the family and family wish for end-of-life care. It has been estimated that between 18 percent and 30 percent of Americans have completed an advance directive. The percentage drops even further among Hispanics. Advance planning on end-of-life care is a process people can use to prepare themselves and their loved ones for dying. The purpose of the project was to develop and evaluate the participants’ response to a seminar to encourage family conversations among members of Hispanic churches on practical …

Africa: Adventist Mission In Africa: Challenges & Prospect, Gorden R. Doss

Books

The great continent of Africa plays a very significant role in global Christianity. A century ago African Christians constituted a tiny fraction of world Christianity but today Africa is a major player in the global faith.

Among Seventh-day Adventists, Africa occupies a significant place, having something over a third of the total world membership. The highest ratios of Seventh-day Adventists to the population are in parts of southern Africa. At the same time, other parts of Africa have only a miniscule Christian presence and the lowest ratios of Adventists to the population in the world. This contrasting picture of evangelization …

1 & 2 Thessalonians And Work, Theology Of Work Project, Colin Nicholl

Theology of Work Project

1. Introduction 1 & 2 Thessalonians
2. Working Faith, Finishing Up, and Keeping the Faith (1 Thess 1:1-4:8; 4:13-5:28; 2 Thess 1:1-2:17)
3. Faithful Work (1 Thess 4:9-12, 2 Thess 3:6-16)
4. Christians are Expected to Work (1 Thess 4:9-12; 5:14)
5. Those Truly Unable To Work Should Receive Assistance (1 Thess 4:9-10)
6. Idleness (2 Thess 3:6-15)
7. Conclusion to 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Book Review: Thy Kingdom Connected: What The Church Can Learn From Facebook, The Internet, And Other Networks By Dwight J. Freisen, Doug Wilson

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Leadership Next: Changing Leaders In A Changing Culture By Eddie G Ibbs, Parnell M. Lovelace Jr

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Johann Walter- Pioneer Church Musician, Arthur Eichhorn

Master of Art Theology Thesis

The intent of this paper is to show how the practical aspects of church music in the Reformation Era and in succeeding generations proclaimed the Word of God. During these early years of Lutheran music development, the music demonstrates how it was being shaped and formed by Lutheran thought. The music of Johann Walter is a prime example. As a composer who served the Reformation, he had a profound influence on the generations that followed. To understand the context of his music, we first look at the history of this era as well as the style of music being composed …

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: April 2010, John W. Cooper, Scott Hoezee, Calvin Van Reken, Ronald J. Nydam

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Death and Dying
3 - What Happens When We Die? by John W. Cooper
5 - “As in Adam …” by Scott Hoezee
7 - A Hard Waiting for the Lord by Calvin Van Reken
9 - The Fear of Facing Death by Ron Nydam
11 - Growing Through Grief An interview with Robert C. DeVries and Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge

Departments
14 - Formation for Ministry
15 - News

Even Unto Death: The Spiritual Armory Of The Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mark Steiner

Other Student Publications

Even unto Death: The Spiritual Armory of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is a resource for Lutheran congregations to understand what it means to be Lutheran and why it matters in our spiritual warfare. My conversations with fellow Lutherans have led me to conclude that many Lutherans do not know how to articulate what it means to be Lutheran, do not recognize that we are in the midst of spiritual warfare, and do not understand how our Lutheran heritage can assist us in spiritual warfare.

Pastoral Care For Saints And Sinners, H. Peter Swanson

Faculty Publications

An examination of the role of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the provision of pastoral care to individuals with gender-identity confusion; same-sex attraction; histories of same-gender sexual activity; active homosexual or bisexual lifestyles; and those with transgender or intersex issues.

The discussion references pastors' personal attitudes and professional responsibilities; the congregational context; the influence of biblical interpretations, theological perspectives, philosophical considerations, and sociological forces upon pastors' and parishioners' understanding; and the variability of life experiences of individuals who do not describe themselves as heterosexual.

Youth Homelessness: A Cry For Right Memory And Embrace, Matthew Maas

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

Martin Buber's “I And Thou”, Pastoral Counseling And Reading Text: A Proposal For An Integrated Approach, David Hawkinson

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

Pastoral care and the biblical tradition are inextricably linked in the minds of Jews and Christians for whom a central human task and calling is healing which leads to wholeness with each other, the world and God.This study explores the possibility of integrating reading the biblical text with a pastoral counseling approach informed by Martin Buber's I-Thou relation that serves this goal of healing and wholeness.

In Martin Buber's I-Thou wholeness is understood in relational terms. Healing is accomplished through "meeting" each other in genuine encounter. Buber's I-Thou dialogical philosophy has influenced a relational approach for the practice of pastoral …

Burdens Of Disclosure: A Pastoral Theology Of Confidentiality, Virginia R. Morgan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Receiving confidential disclosures can create burdens for pastoral care providers. This dissertation presents a study of pastoral confidentiality and the burdens associated with receiving confidential disclosures based on interviews with thirteen pastoral providers, a review of historical, legal and pastoral care literature. A thematic analysis of interviews identified three types of burdens associated with receiving confidential disclosures: 1) professional burdens associated with clarifying norms and standards for pastoral confidentiality in light of collegial, denominational and congregational norms; 2) ethical burdens created when the ethical value of pastoral confidentiality comes into conflict with another significant ethical value; and 3) structural burdens …

Constructing A Neuroscientific Pastoral Theology Of Fear And Hope, Jason C. Whitehead

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary therapeutic circles utilize the concept of anxiety to describe a variety of disorders. Emotional reductionism is a detriment to the therapeutic community and the persons seeking its help. This dissertation proposes that attention to the emotion of fear clarifies our categorization of particular disorders and challenges emotional reductionism. I propose that the emotion of fear, through its theological relationship to hope, is useful in therapeutic practice for persons who experience trauma and PTSD.

I explore the differences between fear and anxiety by deconstructing anxiety. Through this process, I develop four categories which help the emotion of fear stand independent …

Performance Evaluation Of Pastors In East Zimbabwe Conference, Douglas Mutanga

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There has been no consistent and effective way of evaluating the performance of pastors in the East Zimbabwe Conference. In most cases the evaluating is only done for the purpose of identifying ordination candidates and is based only on quantifiable goals that include baptisms, tithe returns, and submission of reports. Due to the rapid growth of the church in terms of personnel, number of churches and membership, and the vast geographical territory, the need for an evaluation instrument is critical.

Method

The study was descriptive and designed around research questions that helped determine the job description of the pastor. …

The Transformational Effects Of Forgiveness In The Lives Of Members Of The Kingsboro Temple Congregation, Joseph E. Ainsworth

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Forgiveness is a crucial need within the congregation, and the lack of a greater practice of forgiveness is severely impacting the emotional, relational, and spiritual wellbeing of members. This present study investigated causes of hurt within the congregation, and designed a process to assist members in achieving forgiveness to empower them to live a forgiven life.

Method

The Pearson Correlations of Values measured 17 variables of spirituality and forgiveness against variables of avoidance, revenge, distancing, and feeling close. The ] 7 variables were reviewed and validated by Dr. Joan Atwood as a check and balance to personal biases. Forty-eight …

Viacordis: A Case Study Of The First Year Of A House Church Network, Robert E. Logan

Great Commission Research Journal

This paper is a synopsis of Logan’s journey in the development of a multi-ethnic network of house churches in the Los Angeles area and beyond. It is in this missional expression of faith communities that the necessary blending of the Great Commandment with the Great Commission are lived out. This multiplying network of churches is ViaCordis (Latin for “way of the heart”). A variety of church models are explored as to their methodology of living out Christ in their community. The 12 Life Commitments of leadership are shared along with 12 lessons learned to date in this process of ViaCordis …

A Paradigm For Cell Church Ministry In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In South Korea, Won Moo Song

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Small group ministry, known as the cell church, was thought to be the best response to the slow growth of membership in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in South Korea. However, the attempt to develop effective cell church ministries has failed to attract new, or even current, members. Yet, there are three non-SDA churches that have had success in setting up model cell churches. The purpose of this study is to explore possible reasons for the failure, examine the successful programs, and identify those steps the Korean Adventist church could adopt in order to establish a positive paradigm for …

A Program For Prevention And Intervention Of Compassion Fatigue And Burnout Among Pastors In The Guyana Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, David O. Mckenzie

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The membership of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist has surged to over 50,000 over the ten year period, 1997-2006; however, the professional Adventist clergy group has experienced a decrease over the same time period—from thirty-three to twenty-seven ministers (Guyana Conference of SDA Statistics). The ratio of clergy to laity is, thus, 1:1853, where it was previously 1:1039. Consequently, ministers in the Guyana Conference of SDA are likely to become victims of burnout—and its compassion fatigue form—as they encounter the demands of ministry.

Methods and Procedures

Following the case study method of qualitative research, the researcher utilized Eisner’s (1998) …

Developing Team Ministry Among Pastors And Elders In The Eastern Sector Of The Reunion Conference Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Johnson Andriamanalina Razafimamonjy

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In 2005, two of the churches in the eastern district of Reunion Island experienced severe conflict between the assigned pastor and elected local elders. The response of one church was the removal of its elders from their posts. In the other church, the church board expressed that they did not want the pastor. The result was minimal church growth during the two years that followed. The continuing confusion and conflict that has stymied the evangelistic potential of the congregations must be addressed in order to recover mission and witness.

Task

The task of this project is to develop and …

Developing And Implementing A Team Leadership Approach At The Alpha Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Gordon S. Jones

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Church life is not confined to a single or normative approach to leadership. Leadership must be decisively contextual The perennial challenge is developing, implementing, and practicing appropriate leadership. This project reports how this challenge was addressed at the Alpha Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Method

Cultural shift was fundamental to this challenge. The first step towards this transformation was establishing a theological and academic foundation. Next, four distinct phases were identified and employed in developing and implementing a team leadership approach for the Alpha Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Result

The project concluded with an evaluation instrument, which suggests that the new approach …

Developing And Implementing A Program To Retain Adventist Clergy In The Botswana Union, Paminus Machamire

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Botswana has been growing at an average rate of 6% annually in the past ten years. Conversely over the same period of time the Botswana Union has been losing pastors at an average rate of 2% per year. Although members continue to increase they lack pastoral leadership.

Method

I used a mixed methodology to conduct a survey on former and frontline pastors, spouses and children of former and frontline pastors, union and conference officers. One group filled questionnaires independently and the other filled them under my supervision. I conducted some of …